Ashton's Lie

chapter nineteen

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I hold Ashton's hand, the one he didn't wrap around me and smile my sweet fake smile at him. "Go on, baby," I cooed. "The audience wants to hear our love story."

Ashton smirks a little, accepting my challenge.

I swear if he says anything stupid like me being a stripper, I'm going to kill him.

"Well, I met her during a charity event," he starts off. "I was doing some business with my father and I stumbled upon a beautiful girl who was carrying two kids. I fell in love with the sight."

Where was he going with this? I barely held Teddy when he was a baby. I'm afraid I'll drop them or they'll throw up on me.

"I left and came back once a week when I knew she would be there," he says smoothly. "I always watched her, everywhere she went, so did I." he laughs a little. "I know I may sound like a stalker, but I was mesmerized by her beauty. It made me think of having kids with her in the future."

He looked at me when he said those last words.

Holy shit. He was really good at this. But I think he's taking it a little too far ... Kids? Really?

"So, one day, I finally had the balls to ask her out and she said yes." He looks at me with a small smile. I smile back. "And I don't regret my decision. She's perfect for me and I wouldn't have it any other way."

I suck in a small breath. We don't remove eye contact as the crowd gushes. Even Megan seemed pleased and heart felt.

"Wow," Megan breathes out. "That sounds absolutely wonderful! You two must really be bonded, aren't you?"

I smile widely. "You have no idea," I say through gritted teeth.

Ashton laughs along with me, our hands were still holding and his arm was still wrapped around my shoulder. I lean in and rest my hand on his knee. He looks at me in slight confusion, but doesn't remove his smile.

"It's so great to have such a lovely couple here today. I'm glad you two are happy." Megan says. "How's it going with your families? Tell us about it!"

The crowd starts cheering 'Tell us! Tell us!'

Ashton clears his throat. His demeanor was calm as hell. I wonder how he does it.

"Our families are what brought us closer," he says. "You see, I would do anything for Taylor. Risk my image for her, my father's image, his company, his legacy. The fact that we're a forbidden love makes us stronger as a couple. It shows how much we would truly fight for each other."

He looks at me and tightens his grip on my hand. I get lost in his eyes. "I love Taylor Ramirez," he says loudly. "And I wouldn't trade her for the world."

The audience goes crazy. Even more so, when they yell 'Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!'

Megan claps her hands. "Kiss for the audience! Kiss for the world!"

Ashton clears his throat. He looks at me, his eyes asking for permission. I grab the back of his neck and pull him in for a hard kiss. I shut my eyes tightly as our lips move in sync.

He loosens his grip on my hand and cups my face with both of his hands. He bites my lip for entrance and I give it to him. He uses his tongue expertly, devouring my soft moans.

The kiss was amazing.

We pull back, breathing heavily as I get lost in his eyes. He looks at me with an unreadable expression as the crowd starts yelling at the top of their lungs.

I just kissed Ashton Marshall. The Ashton Marshall. My enemy. My fake boyfriend.

I don't look away as Megan goes to commercial. Ashton doesn't remove his gaze from mine. The audience is barely audible as we're the only ones here.

How can one kiss effect me this much?

Hormones. My time of the month.

Explains it all.

Megan stands up and shakes our hands. Ashton takes me backstage and doesn't make eye contact.

"That was ..." he starts off.

"Smart of you," I cut in quickly. He looks at me immediately in confusion. "We did good out there, Marshall. We really pulled it off."

Ashton nods, in what seemed like disappointment. "I guess we did," he says lowly.

Liam and Robin comes up behind Ashton. I hug Liam tightly and softly hug Robin, since I know she'll suffocate me.

"You did great out there Taylor!" she gushed.

Liam winks at me. I know he's winking about our kiss. I now remember I have to tell him about our lie.

I glance at Ashton to see him lost in his thoughts. I take Liam's wrist and lead him to my dressing room.

I softly close and lock the door behind me.

"What's going on baby doll?" he asks.

"Ashton and I aren't really dating," I blurt out.

His eyebrows furrow in confusion. "I don't understand."

I slowly walk over to him. "He and I made a deal to fake date in order for me to get my parents' attention and he wanted revenge on his."

He looks taken back but nods anyway. I smile a little, grateful to have a friend like Liam.

"I understand what you did, Taylor, I really do," he says. "But this is a huge deal."

I nod. "I know," I say quietly.

"You just admitted your love for each other to the whole world for God's sake!"

I close my eyes. "I know, Liam."

"You guys made out too!" he exclaims. "Like two ant eaters fighting for food."

I cringe. "Gross! We didn't look like that!"

"You guys are really good actors. You had me fooled and I'm your best friend!" He looks as though he doesn't believe it.

I shrug. "His kisses are amazing." I say causally. He really was a good kisser.

He lets out a dry laugh. "I guess opposites really do attract, yeah?"

I nod. "You have no idea, Liam."